Denmark’s Queen Margrethe announced her abdication on New Year’s Eve. The abdication isn’t official until January 14th, this Sunday, when Margrethe will sign the abdication document and her son will become King Frederik. Many of us have wondered when Frederik and Mary learned of Margrethe’s decision, especially since just a few weeks prior to the NYE announcement, they had been looking miserable in Australia and there were rumors of significant marital discord. Many people believe that the marital discord was a factor in why Margrethe decided to step down when she did. But when did she tell her sons? When did Mary know that she would be queen sooner rather than later?
It appears as though Queen Margrethe of Denmark’s abdication news came as a surprise not only to the world but to her sons, Crown Prince Frederik and Prince Joachim, too. According to Danish newspaper Berlingske, Frederik and Joachim found out about his mother’s plans to abdicate the throne on Dec. 28 — just three days before her official announcement.
Prince Joachim, who lives in Washington, DC, with his family after announcing plans to move across the pond in March 2023, is expected to return to Denmark for his brother’s accession. Joachim and his family made the transatlantic move after Queen Margrethe stripped his four children of their prince and princess titles.
On Sunday, Margrethe is expected to sign a declaration of abdication at Copenhagen’s Christiansborg Palace during a Council of State meeting. After she signs, her son will become King Frederik X, and her daughter-in-law will be Queen Mary.
The new rulers will hold a reception at the palace to mark the occasion, however, there will be no official coronation ceremony as there was for King Charles in May 2023.
So… she did it on December 28th, after Christmas. Mary and Frederik spent several weeks in Australia, with Mary’s family, but they returned to Denmark a few days before Christmas. I wonder how icy they were during all of the royal Christmas stuff and what Margrethe saw between her heir and daughter-in-law. And did it really come as a huge surprise to Fred and Mary, not to mention Joachim? I’m also curious if King Fred will ask Joachim to come back to Denmark to live full time, or if this “living in America” solution is permanent.
Photos courtesy of Avalon Red, Cover Images.
Denmark s Queen Margrethe arrives at the New Year s levee for diplomacy at Christiansborg Palace, Copenhagen, on Wednesday, January 3, 2024 Copenhagen Drabantsalen, The Drabant Hall Denmark Copyright: xKristianxTuxenxLadegaardxBergx IMG_2772,Image: 833995463, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard Berg / Avalon 
Prince Vincent of Denmark, Crown Prince Frederik of Denmark, Prince Christian of Denmark, Queen Margrethe of Denmark, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Princess Isabella of Denmark and Princess Josephine of Denmark at the balcony of Amalienborg Palace to celebrate the 18th birthday of H.K.H. Prince Christian s on October 15, 2023 Copenhagen Amalienborg Denmark Copyright: xKristianxTuxenxLadegaardxBergx IMG_8584,Image: 834159833, License: Rights-managed, Restrictions: imago is entitled to issue a simple usage license at the time of provision. Personality and trademark rights as well as copyright laws regarding art-works shown must be observed. Commercial use at your own risk., Model Release: no, Credit line: IMAGO/Kristian Tuxen Ladegaard Berg / Avalon 
Queen Margrethe II celebrates her 83rd birthday at Christian VII Palace at Amalienborg in Copenhagen, Denmark Featuring: Crown Prince Frederik, Crown Princess Mary of Denmark with Prince Christian, Princess Isabella, Prince Vincent, Princess Josephine Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 16 Apr 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
Prince Christian of Denmark gala dinner to celebrate his 18th birthday at Christiansborg Palace Featuring: Queen Margrethe II of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 15 Oct 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE** 
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia of Spain during their arrival at Vilhelm Lauritzen Terminal at Copenhagen Airport in Copenhagen, on the first day of the 3 day state visit of the Spanish Royals to Denmark. Featuring: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 06 Nov 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE** 
Members of the Spanish royal family during the return arrangement at the Glyptoteket in Copenhagen on day 2 of the 3-day state visit to Denmark Featuring: Queen Margrethe II of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 07 Nov 2023 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**
New Year’s Eve dinner and banquet for the government at Amalienborg Palace Featuring: Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 01 Jan 2024 Credit: Abaca Press/INSTARimages **NORTH AMERICA RIGHTS ONLY** 
Crown Prince Frederik and Crown Princess Mary of Denmark attending the annual New Year’s dinner and table for the government, the Speaker of the Danish Parliament, representatives of official Denmark and the Court at Christian VII’s Palace at Amalienborg, Copenhagen, Denmark. Featuring: Crown Princess Mary of Denmark, Crown Prince Frederik Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 01 Jan 2024 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE** 
Queen Margrethe II of Denmark attending the annual New Year’s dinner and table for the government, the Speaker of the Danish Parliament, representatives of official Denmark and the Court at Christian VII’s Palace at Amalienborg, Copenhagen, Denmark. Featuring: Queen Margrethe II of Denmark Where: Copenhagen, Denmark When: 01 Jan 2024 Credit: Dutch Press Photo/Cover Images **NOT AVAILABLE FOR PUBLICATION IN THE NETHERLANDS OR FRANCE**ncG1vNJzZmivp6x7pLHLnpmirJOdxm%2BvzqZmcW1ia4F4e9CunJ6mj6Kus7PRnquhnY%2Bku63Fvq2mpZyPnbKzq9KopayXkZe8tsC%2BrZ%2Bel5GXsaqvwK2gqKaPqbWzscSYm5qxo5SvprLOq5yhmZ6ZfA%3D%3D